The Resurrection: The Biggest Change Ever
“Christianity is not a philosophy to believe. It’s not a teaching to learn. It’s not a religion to observe. No, it is a Person you follow. And when you surrender your life to Jesus Christ as your Lord, your relationship with God changes. And that relationship with the resurrected Jesus starts to change you.” – Tony Walliser
Read John 20, 1 Corinthians 15
The Resurrection: The Biggest Change Ever
In less than three weeks we will celebrate the most world-changing event of all time: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. After dying on a cross in the most horrific manner imaginable, Jesus rose from the dead three days later. Hallelujah!
But how do we know the resurrection was real? How do we know it wasn’t some elaborate hoax or a myth that has been perpetuated through the centuries, as some skeptics argue? We could cite much evidence for the resurrection, along with conclusions of both Christian and secular historians. But perhaps the greatest proof of the resurrection is changed lives.
Disciples who had become fearful after Jesus was arrested, and doubtful after witnessing His crucifixion, suddenly became courageous after seeing the resurrected Christ firsthand on numerous occasions. These once timid followers of Jesus never wavered again, suffering torture and death as they continued until their final breaths to boldly proclaim the gospel of salvation to anyone and everyone who would listen.
Would they have risked their lives to defend a lie they had made up? Definitely not. If the disciples had all conspired to falsely claim Jesus had risen from the dead, don’t you think that when their lives were at stake, they would have admitted their false claim?
For a contemporary parallel, consider the infamous Watergate scandal that occurred in 1972, culminating in President Richard Nixon’s resignation in 1974. Also implicated were his closest advisors. When confronted, they readily confessed their roles in the notorious cover up to minimize their punishment.
One of them was Charles Colson, who as special counsel to Nixon became known as his “hatchet man.” Colson was the first member of the administration to serve time in prison on Watergate-related charges. In the midst of the sordid affair, he gave his life to Christ and became a changed man. One of the factors that influenced him was the resurrection.
Years later Colson explained, “I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men [Jesus’ disciples] testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one of them was beaten, tortured, stoned, and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren’t true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world – and they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.”
For another example, consider Saul, the highly regarded Pharisee who had zealously persecuted Christians – until he encountered Jesus personally on the road to Damascus. To say that moment was life-changing is the understatement of understatements. He not only became a fervent follower of Jesus but also turned into a fearless preacher of the Gospel, seeking to tell both Jews and Gentiles about the Lord. He too was martyred for faithfully proclaiming the truth of Jesus’ resurrection.
The founders of the world’s great religions are all dead – Buddha, Muhammad, Confucius, and others. Only Christianity can boldly claim that its founder, Jesus Christ, rose from the dead. And through His Spirit, He lives in each of us.
As we’re assured in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” In addition, 2 Corinthians 5:17 promises that when we receive Christ as Savior and Lord, our lives too are changed: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
As the words from the old hymn remind us, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives.”